About us

The Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF) is a physical sciences research institute at the University of Cambridge. Our interdisciplinary team includes academics, post-docs, PhD students, MPhil and Part III students from across university departments including Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.

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Research

Research at IEEF spans a diverse range of topics, united by a shared motivation: to address real-world challenges and fundamental scientific knowledge gaps through rigorous academic inquiry.

Natural Environment

Surface Science

Energy Efficiency

Carbon Storage

We host a wide range of researchers at the institute, from undergraduate students to highly established professors, in a friendly atmosphere that fosters conversation and collaboration. We offer annual fully-funded PhD scholarships and are always interested to hear from researchers who would like to join us or to learn from us. If you are interested in working or studying at IEEF, please see our list of available roles and projects or contact the relevant member of staff.

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Recent Publications

Local ionic conditions conducive to Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is linked to the aggregation of the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (aSyn), but the precise triggers and mechanisms driving this process remain unclear. Local environmental factors, such as ion concentrations, can influence aSyn’s tendency …

New Organic-Inorganic multilayer Microcapsules with superior mechanical properties

Microencapsulation is used across multiple industrial sectors to immobilise fragrances, flavours, and bioactive compounds. It offers numerous advantages, including enhanced stability and prolonged shelf life of the product, which is safeguarded from harsh environments, pH fluctuations …

Seasonal regimes of warm water intrusion toward Antarctic ice shelves

The future of floating Antarctic ice shelves is one of the principal uncertainties surrounding projections of future sea level rise. Melting of Antarctic ice shelves is caused by relatively warm and salty Circumpolar Deep Water currents …
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Latest News

PhD project on Tidal Power

A new PhD project, fully funded, is available for a physical scientist, engineer or mathematician to explore the potential of tidal barrages as a means to generate a reliable source of renewable energy. A particular focus …

Poorya Shaghaghi awarded the Mellon bursary

Clare Hall PhD student Poorya Shaghaghi has recently been awarded a Mellon bursary by his College. This award is given by Clare Hall to up to four students, based on academic merit. Poorya joined the Institute …

Primary school children visited the Flow Labs

On Tuesday 20 May, 60 Year-4 children from our local primary school visited the Earth Sciences department. They explored different volcanic processes and new technologies for the energy transition in the IEEF Flow Labs, and discovered …
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Recent Seminars

Plumes in a turbulent cross-flow

During the second part of today’s seminar, MPhil student James Sear presented the results of his new experiments on turbulent plumes in a cross-flow. During the last few months, James has been studying what happens when …

Efficiency of carbon storage in aquifers

During the first part of today’s seminar, PhD student Ross Shepherd presented some of his recent work on the injection and storage of CO2 into underground aquifers.  Carbon capture and storage will be required as one …

Early cancer detection using nanoparticles

Professor Ljiljana Fruk has been studying the design principles and biomedical applications of organic and hybrid nanomaterials. These can be used for real-time detection of senescent cells in the body.  Large concentrations of senescent cells in …
Upcoming Seminars